In her first major gig since beginning her hiatus last summer, Britney Spears will join R&B star Mary J. Blige to kick off the 2003 National Football League season at a free concert on Sept. 4 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Billboard.com reports.

Organizers reportedly still hope to add other acts to the bill, including Kid Rock and Aerosmith. The show (broadcast on ABC from 8-9 p.m.) will precede the first NFL game of the year -- between the Washington Redskins and New York Jets -- to be held later that evening at D.C.'s FedEx Field.

Last year, Spears, 21, surprised fans by announcing she was taking a break. She is said to be working on her fourth album for a planned fall release on the Jive label, according to a spokesperson. The disc is expected to include contributions from the Neptunes and the Matrix.

Spears also has plans to appear at the Jets' training camp next month, says the rep.

To launch last year's season, the NFL staged a music event for 500,000 fans in New York's Times Square. Bon Jovi, Enrique Iglesias, Alicia Keys and Eve performed, followed by a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Giants.